A1 Expression Sehr formell

모르겠습니다

204

I don't know

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use '모르겠습니다' to politely admit you lack information or knowledge in formal settings.

  • Means: A formal way to say 'I do not know'.
  • Used in: Business meetings, talking to strangers, or addressing superiors.
  • Don't confuse: Do not use with friends; use '몰라' instead.
Polite bow + 'I don't know' = Professional boundary

Explanation at your level:

This is the formal way to say 'I don't know'. Use it with teachers or strangers.
It is a formal expression used to admit lack of knowledge. It is essential for polite communication in Korea.
This phrase is a cornerstone of Korean honorifics. It allows speakers to maintain social harmony by politely declining to answer or admitting ignorance in formal settings.
Beyond simple ignorance, this phrase functions as a pragmatic tool to mitigate the potential face-threatening act of refusing a request or failing to provide information in a hierarchical context.
The usage of '모르겠습니다' reflects the deep-seated cultural value of 'kibun' (emotional state). By opting for this formal structure, the speaker avoids the bluntness of the plain form, thereby preserving the interlocutor's dignity while maintaining professional boundaries.
From a sociolinguistic perspective, '모르겠습니다' is a performative utterance that reinforces the speaker's adherence to the 'jondaemal' system. It is a strategic deployment of the '-겠습니다' suffix, which serves to project a persona of deference and professional competence even while admitting a deficiency in knowledge.

Bedeutung

A formal way to state that you do not have knowledge about something.

🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

Politeness is a core value. Admitting ignorance is better than lying. In meetings, 'I don't know' is often followed by 'I will check'.

💡

Add '잘'

Adding '잘' makes the phrase sound much more natural and less blunt.

Bedeutung

A formal way to state that you do not have knowledge about something.

💡

Add '잘'

Adding '잘' makes the phrase sound much more natural and less blunt.

Teste dich selbst

Which is the most formal way to say 'I don't know'?

Choose the correct option:

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 모르겠습니다

This is the most formal and polite form.

🎉 Ergebnis: /1

Häufig gestellte Fragen

1 Fragen

Not if you use the right formality level.

Verwandte Redewendungen

🔗

잘 모르겠습니다

specialized form

I don't know well

🔗

몰라요

similar

I don't know

🔗

확인해 보겠습니다

builds on

I will check

Wo du es verwendest

🗺️

Asking for directions

Stranger: 실례합니다, 시청이 어디인가요?

You: 죄송합니다, 잘 모르겠습니다.

formal
💼

Work meeting

Boss: 이 프로젝트 진행 상황이 어떻게 되나?

You: 아직 보고받지 못해서 잘 모르겠습니다.

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'More-guess-t-seumnida': I 'more' (more) than 'guess', but I still don't know!

Visual Association

Imagine a student in a suit bowing slightly while saying the phrase to a professor.

Story

You are at a formal dinner. A CEO asks you a question. You don't know, but you stay calm. You bow and say '모르겠습니다'. The CEO smiles at your politeness.

Word Web

모르다알다잘죄송합니다질문대답

Herausforderung

Practice saying it in front of a mirror 10 times with a slight bow.

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

No lo sé

Korean has mandatory formality levels.

French moderate

Je ne sais pas

Register is built into the verb in Korean.

German moderate

Ich weiß es nicht

Korean prioritizes social harmony over directness.

Japanese high

わかりません (Wakarimasen)

Very similar in usage and social function.

Arabic moderate

لا أعرف (La a'rif)

Korean uses specific verb endings for formality.

Easily Confused

모르겠습니다 vs. 몰라요 vs 모르겠습니다

Both mean 'I don't know'.

Use 몰라요 for polite/neutral, 모르겠습니다 for formal/business.

FAQ (1)

Not if you use the right formality level.

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